Review condition and maintenance of home and vehicles:
Air filters
Lightbulbs
Locks on windows and doors
Faucets
HVAC system
Smoke detectors -- check batteries
Loose boards or banisters on stairs or porches
Potential tripping hazards -- rugs that aren’t secured, uneven or loose tiles, etc.
Non-slip mats in bathrooms or handles to get in and out of bathtub
Clutter around house that could create hazards -- piles that could lead to trips or fires
Yard appearance -- well-tended and cared for — leaves cleared, etc.
Vehicles -- start reliably, brakes and tires look good, no service notifications on dashboard, inspections/registration up to date
Review important documents:
List of bank accounts, financial institutions, and passwords should you need to access
Consider moving to a password vault with access to you for emergencies
Monthly expenses and income -- able to pay bills? Keeping up with paperwork?
Health insurance status and location of essential information should you need it
Location of medical records -- primary doctors, specialists
Essential legal documents -- Power of Attorney (financial and medical), will, executor, etc.
Location of other essential documents -- titles, deeds, passports, birth certificates, etc.
Any key people you should notify in emergency? Lawyer? Investment advisor? Banker?
Assess nutrition, medications, and memory:
Check pantry and refrigerator for fresh fruits and vegetables -- still able to cook?
Review medications -- organized and labeled properly?
Consider creating a document of all medications and posting to refrigerator or other central location to assist emergency responders should need arise (also copy in cloud for you)
Note doctors who have prescribed medications -- ensure all medications can be taken together
Ask friends and neighbors of parents if there have been any changes or concerning behavior
If you are far away, ask your parents for someone to call in the event of an emergency
Observe personal hygiene -- are your parents able to bathe and take care of themselves appropriately?
If you see signs of dementia or hearing shortcomings, make a doctor’s appointment and go with your parents to review their overall health and potential interactions/side effects of drugs
Check-in with your parents in general:
Do they feel safe? Do they have a plan in case of emergency?
Are they engaging with others and living an enriched life or are they bored? Look for ways to help them engage in the community whether through senior centers, churches, social groups, etc.
Are they feeling lonely or ignored? (Just make sure tending to their physical needs is not overshadowing the time you are spending together.)
Do they need you to run larger errands or deal with bigger projects like moving furniture, replacing appliances, fixing light fixtures, etc.